OEDEE. OF CHEIEOPTEEA. 531 



twilight. Then is the time chosen for their destruction, they 

 being hunted not only because of their depredations, but also 

 for their flesh. As a precaution, before firing at them, it is 

 necessary to make them take wing; for if this be not done, 

 they remain hanging to the branches, eren after being shot, 

 so strong is their power of i^rehension. 



Although the Pteropus, like other Bats, is essentially noc- 

 turnal in its habits, yet it is not rare to see it on the 

 wing in broad daylight. Doctor Foster, in his voyage with 

 Captain Cook, in 1772, observed numbers of them in the Friendly 

 Islands. He said that they skimmed along the surface of the 

 water with the greatest ease ; and he even asserted that he saw 

 one swim. Elsewhere they frequently enough resort to water, 

 with the double object of washing themselves and getting rid of 

 the parasitic insects that torment them. 



The Pteropina exhale a strong, disagreeable musky odour. 

 They utter acute cries when squabbling among each other for 

 places to perch on, or when their perch is disarranged. When 

 wounded, and about to be captured, they bite severely. 



The attempt has sometimes been made to bring Pteropii to 

 Europe, by feeding them with bananas, and other fruits, during 

 the voyage, and adding to this vegetable diet raw meat. On 

 board ship they kept awake all night, and appeared to be 

 tormented by the desire to get out of their cage. It has been 

 remarked that they are capable of attachment to those who 

 look after them. 



Naturalists have divided the Pteropina into a certain number 

 of genera, which, however, we will not stay to examine. Among 

 the numerous species we will only mention the Edible Roussette, 

 Edwards' Roussette, the Common Roussette, and the Red-necked 

 Roussette. A longer enumeration would be fastidious. 



Family of Vampires. — The Vampires are chiefly characterised 

 by two nasal leaves, one in the form of a horse-shoe, situated above 

 the upper lip ; the other disposed in the shape of a lance, and 

 placed above the first. They have the mouth widely cleft, the 

 tongue studded with horny papiUse, and in each jaw a pair of 

 strong canine teeth, which project beyond the lips. They are of 

 medium size, their hair is short and lustrous, and their iuterfemoral 



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